Vercie Mansfield

April 9, 1930–Feb. 26, 2020

Vercie (Johnson) Mansfield, 89, of Ironton, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at King’s Daughter Medical Center, Ashland, Kentucky.

The Hen Pen Hollow, Kentucky native was born April 9, 1930 to the late Isadore Johnson and Malisa (Newsome) Napier.

Vercie was a glass selector for the Federal Glass Company and retired after 19 years of service. She loved crocheting, baking and the time she spent with her family. She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, Coal Grove, and loved going to all the church functions where she was lovingly known as “the bread lady”.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Beth Jordan Johnson, six brothers; and three sisters.

She is survived by a daughter: Brenda Jordan, of Ironton; four grandsons, Wayne Jordan, of Kitts Hill, Michael (Angie) Jordan, of South Point, Jeff Jordan, of Columbus and William Jordan, of Columbus; a granddaughter, Amy (Shawn) Newman, of Loganville, Georgia; a step-grandson, Todd (Maria) Adams, of Worthington, Kentucky; a brother, Virgil Johnson, of Somerset, Kentucky; a sister, Beulah Johnson, of Tennessee; five grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Phillips Funeral Home, 1004 S. Seventh St., Ironton with Pastor Lawrence Harris officiating. Graveside services will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, 3547 U.S. Route 60 E., Barboursville, West Virginia. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to the Mansfield family by visiting www.phillipsfuneralhome.net

Rev. Donald Delawder

Oct. 11, 1931– Feb. 29, 2020

“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15.

Rev. Donald R. Delawder, 88, of Ironton, entered into his heavenly home on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. The Lawrence County native was born Oct. 11, 1931 to the late Noah and Eva Harper Delawder.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Gloria Frances Delawder, whom he married Sept. 24, 1951; a son, Donald H. Delawder; a grandson, Donald H. Delawder II; a great-grandson, Silas A. McFann; two sons-in-law, Darrell C. Heaberlin and Max D. Myers; three brothers, three sisters; and a very close friend, Dave Derifield.

He is survived by a sister, Glenna Myers, of Waterloo; three daughters, Patricia Heaberlin, Linda Myers and Amber Delawder, all of Ironton; one son, Timothy (Stella) Delawder, of Ironton; daughter-in-law, Edna Baker Delawder; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a very close friend and caregiver, Paul Moore.

Donald attended Waterloo Schools and was a former employee of Semet Solvay/Ironton Coke Plant and Heckett Slag Company. He was an ordained minister of the Gospel for over 50 years leading, many people to the Lord. He was pastor of several churches in the area and recently served as pastor of Kelley’s Bridge Independent Baptist Church for 30 years.

“Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 12:28

Phillips Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home, 1004 S. Seventh St., Ironton, Ohio, with pastor Dave Schug officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 5–8 p.m. and Wednesday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow in Slab Fork Cemetery.

To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Josephine O’Meara

Josephine Belle O’Meara, 86, of Huntington, West Virginia, formerly of Chesapeake, died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, at Huntington Health and Rehabilitation Center, Huntington, West Virginia.

No services will be held.

Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ehallfuneralhome.com.

Jan Mahaney

Jan Kevin Mahaney, 65, of Ironton, died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at Cabell Huntington Hospital.

Phillips Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.

To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Richard Caniff

Oct. 24, 195– Feb. 29, 2020

Richard “Dick” Caniff, 68, of Ironton, husband of Jennifer Brown Caniff, passed away Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Community Hospice in Ashland, Kentucky.

Dick was born Oct. 24, 1951 in Ashland, Kentucky, to the late Lester Mark Caniff Sr. and Margaret May Caniff.

Dick was retired from the AK Steel coke plant where he worked as an operator in the boiler room. He was a member of Lawrence Lodge #198 F&AM, El Hasa Shrine Temple, a lifetime member of D.A.V., Ashland Elks BPOE #350, American Legion Post 93 and was a Kentucky Colonel. Dick loved playing golf and was a member of the United States Golf Association and was the VFW State Golf Class B Champion in 1995.

Dick leaves behind his loving wife of 39 years, Jennifer Jane Brown Caniff; one brother, Mark L. Caniff Jr. (Marilyn), of St. Petersburg, Florida; two sisters, Rita Hatfield (John), of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Jodi Hill (Jason) of Kernersville, North Carolina; numerous loving nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles; and a host of extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Caniff Funeral Home in Westwood. Burial will follow in Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Northeast, with military honors provided by the U.S. Army and Kenova American Legion Post #93. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Masonic services will be conducted by officers and members of Lawrence Lodge #198, Ironton.

Online condolences may be left at canifffuneralhome.com

Robert Brannigan

March 11, 1940– Feb. 29, 2020

Robert Eugene Brannigan, 79, of Wheelersburg, passed away Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at SOMC Hospice in Portsmouth.

Robert was born March 11, 1940 in Lawrence County to the late Charles “Bud” and Opel Blevins Brannigan.

He was a laborer out of Laborers Local 83, an avid outdoorsman, hunter and horse rider. He was a 25-year member of Mt. Hope Freewill Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by three brothers, James, Mike and Carl; and a sister, Elizabeth Ann Brannigan.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Catherine Cartee Brannigan, whom he married June 29, 1968, at Mt. Hope Freewill Baptist Church. Also surviving is a daughter, Crystal (John) Hemmings; two brothers, Tony and Jack Brannigan; and a grandson, Jonathan Hemmings.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Harrison-Pyles Funeral Home in Wheelersburg with Pastor Gary Selby officiating. Interment will follow in Vernon Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 5–8 p.m. Tuesday and one hour before the 11 a.m. service on Wednesday.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.harrison-pyles.com.

Lola Leftwich

March 30, 1930– Feb. 28, 2020

Lola Yvonne (Bonnie) Schweickart Leftwich peacefully passed away on Feb. 28, 2020, at Harbour Health Nursing Home.

She was born March 30, 1930, in Ashland, Kentucky, the daughter of the late James A. McNurlin and Gladys Hampton Wilcoxin.

Bonnie was a lifelong resident of Ironton and a graduate of Ironton High School with the Class of 1949. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ironton and was employed at United Parts Center.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ardys A. Leftwich; one half-brother; and one grandson.

Bonnie is survived by four sons, George W. (Sharon) Schweickart, Michael Shane Schweickart, Paul David Schweickart and Steven Edward Schweickart; and three half-brothers, Paul McNurlin, J.B. McNurlin and James McNurlin, all of Ashland, Kentucky. Bonnie is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 20 great- grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Tracy Brammer Funeral Home, 518 S. Sixth St., Ironton, with her brother, Rev. Paul McNurlin presiding. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 from 6–8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Community Hospice Center, 1480 Carter Ave. Ashland, Kentucky 41101.

To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.tracybrammerfh.net.